Village Trustees approve 2016 budget – no increase in property tax

By Jean Seegers

Reporter

ROSCOE – For the fifth year in a row, there will be no increase in property tax for Roscoe residents. At the Dec. 1, Village meeting, trustees approved the Appropriation Ordinance for 2016.

A portion of the budget will be used for consulting services for the Zoning and Planning departments.  Sanders Design Group was originally hired at a cost of $20,000. Trustee Carol Gustafson asked the board to amend the amount to $28,000, and an additional $9,200 for zoning re-write and code enforcement. The total amount will be $ 38,200.

Trustees approved a resolution confirming the appointment of Scott L. Sanders as the Village’s Zoning Administrator and approved the agreement with Sanders Design Group for Zoning and Planning Services.

Sanders’ duties will include interacting with the public regarding land use and following up on code enforcement. He will be available every Wednesday at Village Hall and will attend at least three board meetings per month.

Advance Disposal Service will begin garbage pick-up, Jan. 2. Trustee Rob Baxter made a motion to amend the garbage contract by about $50,000, to include condos that were left out.  The motion failed 5-1.  Roscoe resident Tim Flowers registered his disapproval of the motion saying it was “somewhat discriminatory.”

Trustees approved an agreement to hire Attorney Jamie Rein to review the management of the 2010-2015 Solid Waste Collection contract. The cost for legal services is not known at this time, according to Trustee Carol Gustafson.

An amendment to an agreement with Foster & Foster Actuaries and Consultants for actuarial services in regard to Police Pension GASB and other Post-Employment benefits for 2015 was approved. The initial amount was to be $3,750. But because of a misunderstanding, the fee is actually $6,750.00.

Porter Park Cabin will soon be available for rentals. At the November meeting, Trustees voted to allow groups to rent the cabin. The fee for Roscoe residents is $175 per day, and $350 for non-residents. No alcohol is allowed.

Extensive repairs have been completed including a new heat and air conditioning unit and plumbing upgrades. Plumbing problems are currently being corrected.

The rental fees will help defray costs of upkeep of the cabin and parking lot only. Fees do not include the grounds walking trails or Disc Golf area.

Porter Park is located at 6598 Wind Flower Ln, near Swanson and McDonald Roads. The park and cabin were donated to the Village several years ago by the Porter family.

For more information and reservations, call Nancy at Village Hall. (815) 623-2829.

The next Village meeting will be held Dec. 15, beginning at 6:30 p.m.